Wayne Junior Livestock Show continues today at fairgrounds

Lucky might have made the biggest splash, but Wednesday evening belonged to a 6-month-old goat named Education and its exhibitor, Elizabeth Rowe.

Dozens of spectators joined more than 30 young people ages 5-19 at the Wayne Regional Fairgrounds Wednesday night for the Wayne County Junior Livestock Show and Sale.

And in the Market Goat Show, none were better than Elizabeth, who took home first place in Senior Showmanship.

"Just a tremendous job with that animal," judge Richard Melton told the 15-year-old.

Taking home ribbons suits Elizabeth fine.

And she has gotten used to it.

She has been showing goats for years now and has plenty triumphs in the ring on her record.

But she still has perspective. She would tell you the trophies take a back seat to her love for the animals -- and for the people she sees at events like these.

"I just love it," she said. "I get the chance to see friends and work with my favorite animal."

But goats were not the only animals on hand Wednesday.

In fact, as Rowe and the other seniors watched the junior and novice divisions compete, Dalton Ginn and others were giving their calves a last-minute make-over.

A quick stroke of the brush here. A dust off there.

Dalton had no idea the animal would be named Grand Champion a few hours later.

Back in the ring, some of the 5- to 8-year-olds in the market goat novice division were working the crowd -- and didn't even know it.

Some were tripping over their goats' feet.

Then there was the little girl who just couldn't seem to get her friend to walk straight.

Or stand still.

Or stop yelling.

Maybe the animal was trying to upstage Lucky, the first goat to get a laugh out of the crowd.

But his exhibitor, 15-year-old Avery Faulkner, blames himself for Lucky's dive.

"I switched his collars because he slipped out of the first one," Avery said. "I cut his air off too quick and he hit the ground."

And there will be plenty more to see today at the fairgrounds.

The day of events opened this morning with the Market Hog Show , will continue with the Livestock Judging competition at 1:30 p.m. and will culminate this evening with the awards presentation and sale.